Nature: Saving Otter 501

This is the story of the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s 501st attempt to save a stranded orphan otter. From her discovery as a newborn pup crying on the beach, through her rehabilitation in secret roof tanks atop the Monterey Bay Aquarium, follow Otter 501 as she learns how to survive in the wild.

A stranded southern sea otter pup is being assessed by the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Karl Mayer. This pup was brought in for further assessment and possible rehabilitation and release back into the wild. Monterey, Calif.

Credit: Courtesy of Sea Studios Foundation

Otter 501 being bottle fed a special “otter milk” formula at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Credit: Courtesy of Sea Studios Foundation

Otter 501 is ready to be groomed by Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Animal Care Coordinator for their Sea Otter Research and Conservation (SORAC) program, Karl Mayer. Karl is wearing the “Darth Vader” disguise used to isolate the human form from the otters that will be released into the wild. Monterey, Calif.

Credit: Courtesy of Sea Studios Foundation

Otter 501 being carefully groomed as part of her eight-month-long journey to being re-released back into the wild, Monterey, Calif.

Credit: Courtesy of Sea Studios Foundation

Otter 501 and her surrogate mom, Toola, at play in the tank 501 was raised in. Monterey, Calif.

Otter 501 being released back into the wild by Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Animal Care Coordinator for their Sea Otter Research and Conservation (SORAC) program, Karl Mayer and an assistant, Monterey, Calif.